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joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam
The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.
Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.
Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!
Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.
Click here to report a problem with this page.
Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:
- This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "clearance permit" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: DIPLOMATIC <Diplomaticagenta@vesta.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: DIPLOMATIC <diplomaticagenta@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2015 20:39:20 +0900 (JST)
Subject: I'm Diplomatic Agent Mr. William Brown
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I'm Diplomatic Agent Mr. William Brown I have been trying to reach you on your Email about couple of days now, just to inform you about my successful arrival in William .P.Hobby Airport Taxes, with your Consigment box. Which I have been instructed by D.H.L COURIER DELIVERY COMPANY to be delivered to your home address. The Airport Authority demanded for all the legal back up papers to prove to them that the consigment ready delivery, I have presented the papers I handed to them and they are very much pleased with the papers I presented but the only thing that is still keeping me here is the airport custom yellow tag and International Clearance Permit certificate. Which is not placed on the package, one of the Airport Authority has advice that we get the custom yellow tag and International Delivery Permit certificate which cost $75
Please you can contact me on view SMS or Call on this line: (3252688180) ASAP
Regard
DIPLOMATIC. William Brown
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Anti-fraud resources:
